The trimmed down streetfighter from MV Agusta was first showcased at the 2013 EICMA which were originally based out of the Brutale 800, to begin with. Out of which came the Dragster 800 RR, a stunning piece of entry by the house of Varese for an audience who desire the best of both worlds. Beauty and performance.

Like the updated F3 Reparto Corse line-up for 2018, the Dragster 800 RR also receives a slew of updates for 2018 that include engine, chassis and electronic improvements along with new styling elements to keep things fresh.

2018 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR
  • Horsepower: 140
  • Torque: 65
  • Transmission: 6
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

STYLING

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2017 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR

2018 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR


Just like the new Brutale 800, the Dragster 800 RR also gets styling tweaks like the revised bikini fairing design, new headlight, muscular fuel tank, and the revised tail section that now comes with a hollow see-through element for a polished look. The passenger’s footpegs are now concealed for a cleaner look.

The taillight now has a singular unit instead of the twin LEDs’ seen before and sure does look more upmarket. The new ‘semi-handlebars’ are adjustable for riders to set their own preference of length. Luckily, MV has kept the aluminum lever protectors and customized Kineo spoked wheels mounted with Pirelli rubber that looks both fancy and retro.

Keeping in line with the muscular and mean stare is the well-built aluminum tank that has the curves and lines of a person who has spilled liters of sweat at the gym for years. Out front, the LCD instrumentation gets new housing with aluminum components. The front fender is much shorter than the ones we see on the Brutale 800s’ which also sees aluminum side supports and so does the tank tampers.

There is a perfect interface between the rider and the motorcycle via the digital LCD panel and dashboard indicators that are also the point of interaction for the MVICS system (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) all of which can be controlled by the rider’s gut and will alone. New LED headlight setup is similar as seen in all 2018 Brutale models except for the brushed aluminum housing getting a black makeover.

With the Pearl Ice White & Dark Metallic Grey, the wheels get white treatment with the wheel hubs and spoke ends in red maintaining a striking contrast with the rest of the bike. On the other hand, the Nardo Grey & Dark Metallic Grey gets yellow accents on the underset panel and the wheel hubs while the wheel rim is dipped in black. A single unit number plate holder accommodates the rear LED turn signals.

Overall Dimension

Make Model

2018 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR

Triumph Street Triple

Length

81 in

81.2 in

Width

32.4 in

35.6 in

Height

n / a

41.7 in

Wheelbase

54.3 in

55.5 in

Seat height

32.2 in

31.8 in

Wet weight

370 lb

414 lb

Fuel Tank

4.3 gal

4.3 gal


POWERTRAIN

Under all that new skin it’s showing off, there is a soul based on MV’s three-cylinder Brutale platform which is a blend of compact dimensions, lightweight, and incredible class-leading performance producing 140 hp and 65 lb-ft of torque. But will now conform to Euro-IV emission norms and will have various technical redesigns to accommodate the same without lowering those performance figures; although the top speed is now 1 mph lesser than the previous model.

That is more of a revelation when you want to rip on a 379 lb bike. This is officially the most powerful bike within the MV three-cylinder range. Almost on the hyper sports territory. In the end, you get an exhilarating tune from the 3-into-1-into-3 exhaust which is dipped in copper. It gets a bigger cat converter and also reduces noise emissions with the use of better-insulated engine covers and new engine mounting points also allow for better torsional rigidity.

Primarily, the engine gets optimized balance shaft and gearings along with new intake cam profiles and titanium valves. Thanks to the new EAS 2.0 electronic shifter, it now allows for more relaxed clutch action to operate the beasts like a breeze. New engine covers provide better protection during a fall and help reduce mechanical noise as well. All that said, the roar is never subdued.

The mechanical slipper clutch system takes power to the rear wheel through the cassette type, 6-speed gearbox. The higher compression ratio of 13.3:1 makes the rpm redline limit at 13500 to maintain reliability. All this is mated to an Eldor ECU, six injectors and full Mikuni ride-by-wire tech festival.

It houses a counter-rotating shaft which was exclusive to only MotoGP monsters. This makes the engine reduce inertia during quick directional changes and enhances engine balance to give the bike a better handling ability. This Agusta also gets a new specifically developed engine ride modes that alter the performance of the engine to suit the rider’s requirements and tastes.

Engine Specification

Make Model

2018 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR

Triumph Street Triple

Capacity cc

798

765

Bore / Stroke mm

79 / 54.3

78 / 53.4

Output

140 hp @ 12300 rpm

121 hp @ 11700 rpm

Torque

65 lb-ft @ 10100 rpm

57 lb-ft @ 10800 rpm

Type

Three cylinder, 4 stroke, 12 valve, DOHC

Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder

Clutch type

Multi-disk wet clutch with hydraulic actuation

Wet, multi-plate, slip and assist

Transmission

6-speed with MV EAS 2.0

6-speed with quickshifter


RIDE AND HANDLING

This 2018 Dragster 800 stands at just 370 lb which has not changed from the previous editions’. The riding position is definitely very aggressive, and one should not have even the slightest doubt on the capability of attacking apexes with this. The footpegs haven’t changed in position, but the handlebar now comes a little closer to the rider though. Luckily, the new ‘semi-handlebars’ are adjustable for riders to set their own preference of length. The stitched “honeycomb” seat is expressly designed for comfort and ergonomics.

A tubular TIG-welded hand-built CrMo steel trellis frame holds all this madness together and is enhanced with new aviation grade aluminum lateral plates. Riding on fully adjustable Marzocchi upside-down fork at the front, it gets rebound-compression damping, and spring preload external with separate adjustment and at the rear is a fully adjustable Sachs suspension unit with spring preload adjustment mated to a single-sided aluminum swingarm.

To stop the RC, twin 320 mm front discs are clutched by Brembo four-piston radial calipers and with a two-piston Brembo caliper and 220mm disc out back aligned to hoon the savage force. Dual channel ABS is a standard issue equipment with Bosch 9 Plus system and RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up Mitigation).

You also get manually adjustable steering damper with 8 settings and eight-level traction control, that also includes a disengage option allowing you to either spin the wheels to glory or contrast it with the tranquility of complete electronic intervention. This RR will be equipped with not one or two but four riding modes for you to exploit every breath of the bike’s life offering complete freedom into adjusting the motor response, rev limiter, engine torque management, throttle sensitivity and engine braking.

At the technology front, this bike is laden with top class electronics and rider aids which gets few improvements for 2018. That includes the MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) platform getting new Ride-by-Wire with personal mappings and revised 8-level traction control.

Chassis Specifications

Make Model

2018 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR

Triumph Street Triple

Frame

ALS Steel tubular trellis

Front - Aluminum beam twin spar. Rear - 2 piece high pressure die cast

Suspension / Front

Marzocchi 43mm “UPSIDE DOWN” aluminum telescopic hydraulic fork with DLC treatment, with anodized fork legs and having rebound-compression damping and spring preload external and separate adjustment

Showa 41 mm upside down big piston forks (BPF), 115 mm front wheel travel. Adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and preload

Suspension / Rear

Progressive Sachs, single shock absorber with rebound and compression damping and spring preload adjustment

Öhlins STX40 piggyback reservoir monoshock, 131 mm rear wheel travel. Adjustable spring preload (lock-rings), compression damping and rebound damping

Brakes / Front

Double floating disc with 320 mm diameter, with steel braking disc and flange. Brembo Caliper: Dual radial-mount, monoblock, opposed 4-piston

Twin 310 mm floating discs, Brembo M50 4-piston radial monobloc calipers

Brakes / Rear

Single steel disc with 220 mm. Brembo Caliper: Two-piston with Bosch 9 Plus with RLM

Single 220 mm fixed disc, Brembo single piston sliding caliper

Tires / Front

Pirelli Diablo Rosso II 120/70 - ZR 17 M/C (58 W)

120/70 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP

Tires / Rear

Pirelli Rosso II 200/55 - ZR 17 M/C (75 W)

180/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP


PRICE

The 2018 Dragster 800 RR will come in two color options – glossy grey with fluoro yellow being and pearly white, anthracite grey with fluoro red. US Pricing and availability are TBD.

In the European markets, however, the 2018 Dragster 800 RR comes with a price tag of € 18,900 ($22,250), which is € 450 ($ 530) more than the 2017 version.

Make Model

2018 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR

Triumph Street Triple

MSRP

$ 22,250

$ 12,500


COMPETITION

Triumph Street Triple RS

Designed to be an addictive and intuitive performance street motorcycle, Triumph’s attempt here is authentic. It is pretty safe to say that the Street Triple was arguably one of the best-looking roadsters designed by the company and we especially liked the twin headlights, the angular windshield and sharp lines of the body, of which makes the scene even in the new one. Said to have been inspired by the ‘nose-down’ focused attitude, the Street Triple showcases significant styling evolution over its previous generation. It gets all-new bodywork, flyscreen, radiator, cowls and integrated air intake.

It carries a 765cc powerplant, again derived from the brand’s Daytona 765, which has more power and a better performance package compared to the outgoing model. The RS variant is the most powerful one around which gets a whopping 121 bhp and 57 lb-ft of torque making it feel closer to the liter-class counterparts, courtesy of a unique engine set-up, ECU and tune, making it the most explosive Street Triple built by the British legends.

This new Street Triple focusses on state of the art rider-centric technology giving everyone maximum control and safety. Triumph has equipped the Street Triple with ride-by-wire for precise throttle response and improved on/off throttle transition.

The RS, on the other hand, moves around with the highest- specification 41mm front forks, adjustable for preload, rebound and compression damping, premium Öhlins STX40 piggyback reservoir mono shock, range-topping Brembo M50 4-piston radial monoblock calipers and premium Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires.

VERDICT

MV Agusta has a tremendous history in terms of making some of the most beautiful looking and aerodynamic motorcycles on the planet. Luckily, they are still firing on all pistons to make muscular and mean streetfighters even after their financial fracas they went through in the past couple of years.

Their three pot mill is the most powerful in the industry and trumps the competition by more than a few yards. This Dragster RR is the perfect blend of raw power, technology and design. It is super compact, aggressive and stunningly good looking filled with cutting-edge rider aids. Just like every other MV.

Is it enough to take on the competition that has motorcycles like the brand new Ducati 821 or the Triumph Street Triple already taking all the cake for themselves? Honestly, it’s a tall order, but the folks know how to make "Motorcycle Art" and can surprise us with their package.